How to Test Pure Silver
Silver has been valued as a precious metal throughout history and has many different uses. The value of silver tends to fluctuate and still fetches a high collection value. It is important for collectors to identify whether an item is made up of pure silver or has been tainted by some other metal in order the ascertain the item's true value. An ideal way to check the pureness of silver is using a silver acid screening kit.
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Instructions
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Purchase a silver acid test kit on the Internet or through a specialty store. Most kits provide a bottle of nitric acid and a color chart.
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Make a small scratch on the surface of the silver piece being tested with a testing needle. If your kit does not include a testing needle, purchase one.
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Put a drop of nitric acid on the scratch and watch for a color change. Refer to the color chart included in the kit to interpret your results. Typically, a cloudy cream color reveals a high percentage of silver, usually between 100% and 90%. 75% to 90% will reveal a grayish color and anything under 75% will reveal a light greenish color.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area when performing the test.
Using the silver acid method will damage the item being tested.
References
- Photo Credit silver spoon image by Alex White from Fotolia.com
